Official Crossings: Official and Dna Collection

official crossings: The official said the rules would not apply to legal permanent residents or anyone entering the U.S. legally, and children under 14 are exempt, but it's unclear whether asylum-seekers who come through official crossings will be exempt, according to CTV. The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity before the regulations were published. The Justice Department on Monday issued amended regulations that would mandate DNA collection for almost all migrants who cross between official entry points and are held even temporarily. Homeland Security officials gave a broad outline of the plan to expand DNA collection at the border two weeks ago, but it was unclear then whether asylum-seekers would be included or when it would begin. Civil rights groups already have expressed concerns that data could be misused, and the new policy is likely to lead to legal action. The new policy would allow the government to amass a trove of biometric data on hundreds of thousands of migrants, raising major privacy concerns and questions about whether such data should be compelled even when a person is not suspected of a crime other than crossing the border illegally. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.